Fear begins to take many shapes in J.K Rowling’s third in the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Time travel comes to mind as it was exactly four years and five days ago when I was sitting in the courtyard of Theatre Memphis, wand in hand, finishing the last book in the series.

Harry Potter

Sirius Black has escaped the most unescapable of prisons, Azkaban itself. Harry is lead to believe that it is Black who is responsible for handing his parents over to Voldemort resulting in their death. Coupled with Potter’s encounter with an ominous black dog, it is clear this will not be the best year for our young hero.

Funny thing time, for it is now when the genius Hermione meets a subject she doesn’t enjoy. Professor Trelawney teaches the fine art of Divination; in the first day of class she notes Ms. Granger to be lacking the needed gift of foresight, scares the wits out of a number of students and reads Harry’s grave misfortune through the most horrific omen, the grim. Ironically, it is in this installment where Hermione truly does play in with the future but not through prophecy, through time. She is given a time turner by Professor McGonagall allowing her to attend multiple classes simultaneously. Within this gift of time travel, her and Harry set off in the recent past to save not one but two innocent lives.

Loving Hagrid growing ever fond of Buckbeak must say farewell to the giant creature. Yet, this giant flyer isn’t the only large, magical creature on the grounds. A new addition, Professor Lupin hides his identity as a werewolf with the help from a very difficult potion concocted by Severus Snape and in a dramatic twist we see the two confront along with other characters from the past as it becomes increasingly clear why the head of Slytherin house loathes the Potter name. Speaking of, Harry is allowed a glimpse of his father through his rigorous training with Lupin. Due to the Sirius circumstance, Dementors are allowed to patrol the grounds and give our scarred lad more than a jolt of fright. Countering, Harry masters the patronus charm, a highly advanced spell for his age. Taking the form a stag is nothing but poetic considering the revealed animagus and creators of the invaluable Mauraders Map.

Yet, let’s not jump a head, in fact, let’s go back. Earlier and much to his bitter-sweet-delight Harry receives an anonymous gift, the Firebolt. This gift is sure to give the Gryffindor’s the edge to win Quidditch and no doubt the house cup. However, it is suspect. Nonetheless, our heros are able to uncover the real rat behind all the wrong doing.

Perhaps most important in this book is Professor Trelawney’s trance, delivering this message:

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The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight … the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant’s aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was. Tonight … before midnight … the servant  … will set out … to rejoin … his master. . . (pg. 324)

As dark as his past may remain, with the light of the patronus and memories of his family’s undying love, our favorite protagonist continues to grow ever stronger in the pages of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.